Battling COVID-19: medical staff to be considered for National Civilian Bravery Award

By Chrishanthi Christopher
The Foundation for Civilian Bravery (FCB) in recognition of the immense bravery displayed by the medical personnel to save lives of civilians infected with the Co-vid 19 virus has taken action  to include them for the National Civilian Bravery Award for 2020.

Founder and President FCB Kasun Chandraratne said that the deadline for registrations for the annual award for civilian bravery 2020 has been extended to May 31 to include the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff who are at the forefront in the battle to fight the pandemic in the country.

The awards consist of the Budal-Na Gold Award,  Silver Medals for Civilian Bravery, Civilian Bravery (Community Harmony) Award and Civilian Bravery (Community/Social Harmony) Award.

Those eligible for  recognition  are citizens of Sri Lanka who courageously, despite any danger  to  life or limb, volunteer to save  lives in peril during  natural and manmade disasters such as tides, fire and rough seas.
The criteria for selection will centre on the risk to the rescuer, the threat to the victim, and the degree of the  rescuer's obligation to the Act.

‘The intention of the awards is to uphold peace and to promote social cohesion and harmony, Mr. Chandraratne said.
The nominations for the 2020 Awards are for actions that took  place during the calendar year 2019 but have been extended up to April 30, 2020.

This includes the Civilian Bravery Biophilic Award presented to a person who voluntarily exhibits extraordinary dedication and action to preserve and promote the natural environment, including bio-resources and bio-systems.

The Student Civilian Bravery Social Activity Awards,  a  Gold or Silver Swan Award, is   presented  to students  who  courageously and with dedication perform to achieve the objectives of a social service organization as acknowledged by the school system. Students should submit their applications through the principal of their schools.

A panel of judges will process the applications and will select the awardees on the basis of interviews and documentation in support of the Awards' requirements.  

The closing date for nominations is  May 31,  2020 and actions for consideration must have taken place from 1 January, 2019 to 30 April 2020. Applications are available at the CBF office. Application can be made personally by the candidate or another person acquainted with the actions or work of the nominee.